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 | | | | | | Quick Facts | | | Birthdate: 16 December 1966 | | Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland | | | Age: 35 Ht: 5ft 7in (170cm) Wt: 11st 7lb (73kg) | | | Home: Sunningdale, Berkshire, UK | | | Country: Ireland | | | Turned Professional: 1991 (plus 4) | | | |
| Ryder Cup | | | Rookie | | European Tour Victories | | |
(3) 1996 Hohe Brücke Open; 1997 Oki Pro-Am; 2001 Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open
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Paul McGinley might have been lost to professional golf altogether had he not suffered a broken knee cap playing football - the Gaelic variety - at the age of 19. A natural athlete of some distinction, the Dubliner wasted no time in dedicating himself to a non-physical sport where he could still compete at a very high level.
Fifteen years after suffering that injury, McGinley's commitment to golf has paid off as he prepares to make his Ryder Cup debut at The De Vere Belfry. That place, in doubt for so long, was virtually secured when McGinley won the five hole play-off for the rain-affected Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open title.
The relief was palpable as the 34 year old absorbed the knowledge that he was about to take part in the greatest team event in golf. Victory came following two previous play-off defeats and the significance of his win was not lost on him.
He said: "That was the first play-off I'd won so obviously I was thrilled. It was a huge difference between first place and second in terms of Ryder Cup points and that was really a lot of pressure and that's what drove me on.
"Oh yes, it was on my mind. I would be lying if I said it wasn't. Since the Ryder Cup points list started I felt I could make the team. Obviously I've been under the microscope and everybody was looking to see how I was doing and there's been a lot of pressure on myself."
McGinley had previously won two European Tour titles, but his most cherished moment came in the 1997 World Cup of Golf when he and Padraig Harrington triumphed amid the sand dunes of Kiawah Island. He and Harrington were feted wherever they went in Ireland, but McGinley is under no illusion that the Ryder Cup is a different proposition to that tournament.
"It was a totally different kind of pressure to winning the World Cup because then we were in a no-lose situation" he recalled. "Three of the four Major winners of 1997 were in the field. It was a particularly strong field and we went out and didn't play with a whole lot of pressure because we weren't expected to win.
"Now I've done the opposite in terms of the Ryder Cup. I've been playing with a lot of pressure. Everybody knows how much I want to play in the Ryder Cup. Everybody knows the position I've been in. Everybody knows what I had to do".
McGinley admits that his decision to take up a golf scholarship in San Diego assisted his move into the professional game. He revealed: "It was the make or break for me. I had been working for a year before that having graduated from a college in Dublin with a diploma in marketing and I had to give up football because of my injury and I had played golf during that year I was working.
"And I was starting to get pretty good at it, so I had come to a crossroads: Was I going to play golf and or was I going to go into business? And at the time there was a 20% chance I'd go into golf. So, that's why America was perfect for me. I was able to kill two birds with one stone.
"I got my degree over there and I also played more or less full-time golf for two years competitively, and at the end of the years I was at the crossroads. I made the decision to turn pro and I've been here ever since."
McGinley believes he wasn't good enough to make previous teams, but has improved to the point where he can compete. He added: "I'm very comfortable in a team position. My record as a team player has been very strong I think a lot of that emanates from my years as a footballer, and hurling. I played at a very high level.
"So, I've always enjoyed team sports. I've always enjoyed being part of a package, if you know what I mean. Obviously, I won the World Cup with Padraig at Kiawah and we've always performed well in the Dunhill Cup. Team sports is something I certainly enjoy and I'm looking forward to being part of another team in the Ryder Cup."
Background
First sporting love was Gaelic football, but concentrated on golf after suffering a broken left knee cap at the age of 19. Played in 1991 Walker Cup - helping Liam White beat Phil Mickelson and Bob May - then gained card at first visit to Qualifying School that year. Won the World Cup at Kiawah Island in November 1997 with Padraig Harrington. Moved to new coach Peter Cowen, and to Sunningdale, where he is a neighbour of Darren Clarke. Built an extensive gymnasium in one of his garages and spent early part of 1999 getting fitter with the help of former European Tour Physio, Jonathan Shrewsbury. Was a model of consistency in 2000, finishing in the top ten on eight occasions. Captured his third European Tour title and first since 1997 by winning the rain-affected Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open at the fifth hole of a sudden-death play-off after the tournament was reduced to 36 holes - a win which elevated him into the European Ryder Cup team. Finished the 2001 season in 8th spot on the Volvo Order of Merit following his second place to Padraig Harrington in the season ending Volvo Masters Andalucia.
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Paul McGinley
